Sometimes I think we hear so much about having faith we fail to comprehend what that really means to us in our lives. We can understand the faith of the Pioneers, we read of the faith of Paul, who wrote masterful, uplifting and faith filled letters to members of the church from a tiny prison cell....perhaps we can understand even the faith of a prophet and his brother, who were beaten, arrested and spent many nights away from their beloved families to avoid further arrest and beatings. Those two men eventually gave their lives because they refused to say "It's not true, the gospel doesn't exist." But they didn't say that, and today we have precious truths, precious priesthood and temple ordinances that bind us together eternally as a result of their faith. What of that faith? What does it take to have that kind of faith? I know, I know....you're going to tell me we should read our scriptures, say our prayers (I call it the Seminary answer)....but there's more than that. And I'm pretty sure that you (yes you...the one reading this!) You have got that kind of faith right now. Read on:
Are you wondering what kind of faith you've really got? Have you got just a little bit of faith? Do you have enough to go to church every Sunday and stay through all the meetings? Do you have enough to tell your boss or friend that Tuesday night is full on your calendar, you've got Mutual? That's a good start right there to some strong faith.
The wonderful thing about faith is it's just like a muscle...the more we exercise it, the more it grows (see, right there we can tell Father loves us...he asks us to have faith and then he gives us ways to develop it!).
Here's an example: Paul was looking for a job. (We're talking about a guy Paul, not the apostle now). He needed a job for the summer but was getting a little nervous. Everywhere he went it seems he was expected to work Sunday. He had decided a long time before that Sunday was going to be a day he didn't work. Finally he found a place that seemed not to mind that he wouldn't work Sundays and after a second interview he was hired. He reported to his first day of training on a Thursday and he worked hard. At the end of the day, before he left for home, the manager approached him and handed him his schedule for the coming week. Paul was surprised to find that he was scheduled to work Sunday! He looked up at the manager but before he could say anything the manager said "I know you asked not to work on Sunday, but you need a job and around here, everyone pulls their fair share on the weekends. You'll work at least two Sundays a month."
What would you do?
Now remember, Paul had already decided that he was not going to work on Sunday.
It's much easier to act on our faith when we decide before a situation arises how we will respond.
Even so, Paul told me it was hard....his friend (who also worked there) was standing right there and watched with almost more anticipation than the manager did as Paul handed the schedule back to him and said " I'm more than happy to work two weekend nights or whatever other shifts you need me to cover, but I don't work on Sunday. It's a personal commitment I have made. If you feel that you can't accommodate me, then I'm sure I will be able to find a job elsewhere." (Yay! Heavenly Father was clapping his hands for joy, don't you think?)
The manager did not respond as expected. He snorted and said (as he led Paul to the door) "Come back when you change your mind...you won't find a better deal than I can offer you." (ouch!)
Right there we knew Paul was going to face a greater test....but we were also impressed by his willingness to be tested. He seemed to say "Ok, Lord....I guess there's something more I need to learn." And it's just like I said at the start; faith has to be tested to grow...and sometimes the test comes in a form we don't or can't imagine. The way to pass a test of faith is to remain true to our beliefs.
That's what Paul did.
He went home.
He didn't look back.
He did, later that evening and throughout the coming weekend, pray that the Lord would bless his faith.
Guess what? That's an important part of faith, too. Asking for the Lord's help, for His guidance and of course, Father is always ready and willing to listen as we cry out during our test of faith; He gives us comfort as well. Now before I tell you the results of Paul's test of faith....I want you to stop and think through situations in your life that might be a test of your faith. There are hundreds of them all around you every day:
To go to certain movies or not
To avoid parties with friends where the atmosphere might not be right.
To be helpful around the house or not.
To attend Seminary or Institute.
To keep the Sabbath Day Holy even when maybe even a family member isn't.
To fellowship those we know who have fallen away.
To be honest at work or school.
To change the radio station when a song comes on with bad language in it.
Well,....you get the idea. What do you choose? Do you choose the right even when it's hard? Do you walk away from friends telling bad jokes? Do you say no to a date with that really, really cute guy because you've seen him pawing other girls and don't want to be around that? Do you consistently choose clothing that is modest and tasteful? Do you speak out when others say bad things about someone ...anyone? All of these are tests of your faith. We must prove (sometimes every day) that we love others, that we love the Lord and that we are willing to serve Him and be called by his name (remember the sacrament prayers?)
the sacrament prayers?) Well....Paul's test of faith ended on Monday morning at about 8 am. That's when the phone rang and someone in his ward was on the other line. He said he knew of a position opening up that Paul was qualified for. Not only was it a full time position, but it was strictly a Monday through Friday job...no Sundays! Paul was thrilled, but before he could get off the phone and say a real prayer of thanks, the caller continued to announce yet more blessings....the job paid nearly twice what the job Paul had rejected paid! With this man's recommendation, no interview was needed, Paul was simply to fill out some paperwork that afternoon and report to work the next morning.
Now that was a direct reward for Paul acting on faith and honoring the Lord's day, wouldn't you say? But what if Paul hadn't received a call on Monday morning? Paul says he feels sure he would not ever have returned to the job he left and that he would have continued to look for something that fit his desires. As a result of Paul's test, his faith grew enough so that later on in his life when another job was needed, he knew he would be blessed by acting on faith. Even so, there are times in all of our lives that our faith will just continue to be tested. Over and over we may have to declare our faith, we may be called on to endure hardship, health problems, or a host of other tests. I like how that problem is discussed in the movie "Charly" . Remember how Sam kept praying and praying that God would five him his 'one lousy miracle' and cure Charly's cancer? Charly replies that " God never promised us he would cure my cancer. He promised that we could be together forever, even after death." (See how Charly keeps the prize in sight?) But those words aren't enough for Sam....he continues to feel that he is some kind of failure, that his faith and his priesthood won't cure his wife. His father responds with wise counsel, "When it really counts, it won't abandoned you. ...if you keep your faith in all those answers you've been carrying around for a lifetime, then the pain won't give way to emptiness and neither will you." (And therein lies the greatest faith of all....that we can continue to see the eternal picture even when our worldly view is clouded in grief and pain.) Sam later verbalizes what we all need to learn so very much; Faith is not just believing that good things happen to those who are faithful...faith is believing that God lives and it is trusting our lives to His Will. So keep that in mind when the going gets hard... the more your faith grows, the more it will be tested
The true test of your faith comes when the answers aren't easy to see, when the road is cloudy and the reward isn't in your direct line of vision. Maybe by choosing the better part last weekend... maybe by not going to movies, and parties with 'the crowd', you feel like the reward hasn't been very rewarding: you're at home, alone. But maybe the reward is still right in front of you and you haven't noticed it (I didn't know how much I loved my Mom until she lived so far away I didn't see her for months at a time). OR maybe the real reward will come in time. For tests of faith like that....here's what Sister Kate suggests: (in addition to the 'seminary answer, of course!)
1. Get two or three pictures of your favorite temples. Make sure they're different sizes so you can place them in places where you'll see them a lot every day. On your bedroom door, your bathroom mirror, on your key chain, in your wallet, in your locker, on your dashboard, (hey! don't forget your computer screen!), etc. Each time you see the temple, say to yourself " My eyes are on the prize, Lord. Please bless me with the faith to carry on and seek thy will in all my paths.
2. (and this is important too!!) As you practice your faith by attending church, look around. As you do, ask the Lord to open your eyes to someone who needs your faith and good works. You may find that person only needs a friend or you may find a greater challenge, but I promise that as you share your faith it will grow in ways you can't imagine...and the reward will be right there before your eyes.
Keep the Faith!!
love,
Sister Kate
PS....click here for one of my favorite songs about tests!
D&C 20: 77, 79 77O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. (emphasis added)
79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.